Local News
BVI Customs Officers Secure Top Honors at Regional Training Programme
Virgin Islands Customs officers captured the top three positions at the Junior Officer Basic Training Programme in St. Kitts and Nevis, completing the regional course and returning to the territory on Friday, April 3.
Officer Khemoe Foy Jr. led the cohort with a first-place finish, followed by Officer Rebecca Frett in second and Officer Jevon Walwyn in third. Officers Deshawna Hamilton and Travis George also performed strongly, placing fourth and sixth respectively, with all five officers completing the programme.
The officers were welcomed at the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley, Acting Commissioner of Customs Clinton Romney, and other government officials.
The training programme covered key areas of customs operations, including cargo reporting, tariff classification, customs valuation, rules of origin, cargo and vessel search, passenger assessment, drug identification, baggage search, and enforcement procedures such as arrest, detention and seizure. Officers also received instruction in ethics, customer service, agriculture controls and report writing.
The programme included both classroom instruction and practical exercises, as well as daily physical training.
Acting Commissioner of Customs Clinton Romney said the training represents a key milestone for the officers.
“I am extremely proud of our officers for successfully completing the Junior Officer Basic Training (J.O.B), a key milestone in their professional development,” Romney said.
He added that the officers are expected to apply their training upon returning to duty.
“As these officers return to duty, they are expected to apply their training in a dynamic and evolving environment, serving as agents of positive change and contributing to the continued advancement of the department,” he said.
Romney also thanked the Customs Administration in St. Kitts and Nevis and the Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council for their roles in delivering the programme.
The delegation was led by Officer Rebecca Frett.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.
Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office has announced an increase in fees for United Kingdom passports, effective April 8, 2026.
According to the office, the revised fees apply to new, renewal and replacement passport applications, as well as other related services.
Under the new structure, the cost for a new, renewal or replacement adult passport has been set at £116.50, while the fee for a child passport is £75.50. Adult frequent traveller passports will cost £130.50, and child frequent traveller passports £89.50.
The fee for changes to an existing passport will also be £116.50. In addition, a delivery fee of £14.32 will apply.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office advised that the updated fees are now in effect and apply to all relevant applications submitted on or after April 8.
A bill proposing wide-ranging changes to the Virgin Islands’ electoral system was introduced in the House of Assembly today, Tuesday, April 22, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.
The proposed Elections (Amendment) Act, 2026, is based on consultations with stakeholders and recommendations from observer missions, as well as input from the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.
“This is the Elections Amendment Act 2026, following extensive deliberations with a number of entities, including a committee of the House who looked at recommendations of various observer missions that came to The Virgin Islands,” Hon. Wheatley said during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly.
He said the bill also builds on work undertaken by the previous House of Assembly. “Also, the last House of Assembly looked at a number of recommendations that were forwarded through the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” he said.
Hon. Wheatley said the proposed amendments were developed through discussions on changes to the Elections Act. “We had very extensive discussions about amendments to the Elections Act, and of course, those recommendations were used to make this Amendment Act. This received its first reading some time ago, and now we are here to debate this Elections Act, so that it can therefore become law,” he said.
The bill introduces several reforms to the electoral framework, including expanded access to voting through mobile and curbside options for individuals with physical limitations and the formal use of assistive technologies for voters with disabilities.
It also provides for the establishment of a Department of Elections and an Elections Advisory Committee to oversee voter registration and election administration.
Additional provisions include a formal Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates, along with new rules governing campaign donations and political financing.
The legislation also proposes restrictions on the announcement of major public grants or projects shortly before an election, aimed at addressing potential incumbency advantages.
The bill has already received its first reading and is expected to be referred to a committee when the House of Assembly resumes on April 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., where it will undergo further review as part of the legislative process.
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